ARRL Special Bulletin ARLX001 (2001)

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ARLX001 FCC Chairman Kennard Announces Resignation
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Special Bulletin 1 ARLX001
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT January 12, 2001
To all radio amateurs
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ARLX001 FCC Chairman Kennard Announces Resignation
FCC Chairman William E. Kennard has announced his resignation,
effective January 19. Kennard, a Democrat, said he leaves the office
with great pride in the FCC's accomplishments and with deep
gratitude for having had an opportunity to serve the American
public.
Kennard's resignation was expected once the AOL-Time Warner merger
received FCC approval. That happened January 11. It's been widely
speculated that President-Elect George W. Bush will name Republican
FCC commissioner Michael Powell--the son of Secretary of
State-Designate Gen Colin Powell--to replace Kennard as FCC
chairman.
The agency's first African-American chairman, Kennard presided over
the FCC during a period when the FCC implemented historic
legislation to bring competition to communications markets. During
his three-year tenure, Kennard promoted competition and consumer
choice in the telecommunications marketplace, encouraged the rollout
of broadband and digital technologies, expanded access to technology
and streamlined and revamped the FCC.
In implementing the 1996 Telecommunications Act, Kennard said he
aimed to create a marketplace where ''monopoly is ended, innovation
and entrepreneurship are cherished, and consumers have competitive
choice.''
Kennard made bridging the Digital Divide a top priority. During his
tenure, the FCC successfully implemented the E-Rate program, which
connected 95 percent of the nation's schools and more than one
million classrooms to the Internet.
''We must bring the benefits of the Digital Age to all Americans,''
said Kennard. ''From the business districts to the barrios, from
those with every advantage to those with disabilities, from the
young to the old, from suburban enclaves to the rural heartland.''
His achievements include establishing a Disabilities Rights Office
at the FCC, bringing new telephone service to over one million
low-income Native Americans on tribal lands, and creating a new
low-power radio service for school, church, and community use.
For the next few months, Kennard will serve as a senior fellow of
the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program in
Washington, DC.
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